The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) has announced that its original documentary, Chatsworth Through Time, will be released on public television stations across the United States in August 2026. The program, which explores the history, architecture, landscape, and artworks of the legendary English estate, will be distributed by American Public Television (APT).
Chatsworth, located in the Peak District National Park, has been home to the Devonshire family for 500 years. Over the centuries, the Dukes and Duchesses of Devonshire have renovated and expanded the house to reflect new political developments, social realities, and changing styles. The documentary, hosted by Chatsworth's senior curators, begins in the Tudor Period and progresses through five hundred years of history, culminating in an extended interview with the current Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.
Produced by the ICAA, the program features unparalleled access to an extraordinary collection of historically significant architecture, fine craftsmanship, and rare artworks accumulated over seventeen generations. "It was an honor at the ICAA to work with the Chatsworth House Trust, providing a unique opportunity to thoroughly explore the story of a house rich in architectural and artistic history," says ICAA president Peter Lyden. "By opening the house's archives and hearing directly from the Duke of Devonshire, Chatsworth Through Time provides unprecedented insight into the legendary estate."
The documentary is part of the ICAA's ongoing Design in Mind film series, which aims to promote the appreciation of classical and traditional design. The ICAA, a nonprofit membership organization headquartered in New York City, offers a wide array of programs including classes, travel, lectures, awards, and conferences. It also publishes an academic journal called the Classicist and a book series, the Classical America Series in Art and Architecture.
Chatsworth itself is a Grade I listed house and stables, with a 105-acre garden, a 1,822-acre park, a farmyard, and one of Europe's most significant private art collections. The Chatsworth House Trust, a registered charity, manages the estate with a focus on conservation, exhibitions, and community outreach. Visitor income funds essential conservation and an ambitious programme of events and learning initiatives. More information about the estate can be found at chatsworth.org.
American Public Television, which is syndicating the documentary, is the leading distributor of high-quality programming to public television stations. APT's catalog includes popular series such as Rick Steves' Europe and America's Test Kitchen. The broadcast of Chatsworth Through Time will bring the story of this historic estate to a national audience, highlighting its architectural and artistic significance.
